Search - Steve Oliver :: Radiant

Good to Go!

Sherman L. Dantzler | Grand Blanc, MI United States | 03/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The smooth Jazz hit `Good to Go' is the best way to describe this new project for Steve Oliver. The guitarist puts you into a feel good mood right from the outset on the cut `Feeling Good'. The smooth work on `Tradewinds' lures you into a somewhat funky groove. 'Cool' definitely lives up to it name and his rendition of Buffalo Springfield's 'For What it's Worth' is quite impressive. Equally impressive is the talent accompanying him on the project, featuring: former Al Jarreau saxophonist Michael Paulo, Spyro Gyra's Keyboardist Tom Schuman, Bassist Gerald Veasley and Stevie Wonders trumpet player Steve Madeao. This CD adds a little pop flavor to the mix with `Bend or Break'. A softer side of Steve Oliver is manifested in `Shine' and `Across the Water'. Putting all these factors together for the Radiant project, I can truly say this album is `Good to Go'! ~the JazzeOne"

What happened to Steve Oliver?

ShriDurga | 09/16/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Used to be you could count on Oliver to deliver a solid album of guitar-based smooth jazz, uplifting tunes that made you reach for the volume control, tap your foot, and sing along to the lilting guitar lines.



This latest effort is his weakest to date, a mistitled album that seems to have been made on autopilot; the only radiance to be found is in the backlight used in the cover art. There's only one song here that rivals any of the best songs from his 2002 release, Positive Energy, a song called Good to Go that is in fact a pastiche of High Noon.



The rest of the album is uninspired smooth jazz. Play it in the background and the only thing that will catch your attention are the three saccharine vocal tracks. I give it a 2, instead of a 1, for being inoffensive background music.



If you haven't yet purchased any recordings from Steve Oliver, start with Positive Energy, one of the best contemporary jazz albums of the 00's. Leave Radiant in the bin."

A one man band

BGroovy2 | Tidewater Va. | 09/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was first introduced to Steve Oliver through the Carvin webstite. He was demoing a brand new MIDI guitar that Carvin had just released, along with it's synthesizer. It was truely amazing to watch this guy play. He was playing all the parts of the band on a single guitar. There was concert footage of "For what it's worth." It was Steve on stage with his guitar, that was it. The sound was amazing! You could close your eyes and visualize the whole band there on stage, but it was just Steve!



Even if your not a Smooth-Jazz fan, this is a great purchase. The CD is well done. There are no sloopy improves that leave you feeling out of sync. There is no overpowering percussion, just a cool beat. All in all, a very enjoyable and relaxing CD."